Inconspicuous role of Brahma in God's creation - Rajyogi BK Brijmohan - The Speaking Tree

In Hindu cosmology, Brahma is the creator of the universe. He stands out in the pantheon of Hindu deities by virtue of his depiction as a white­ bearded elderly figure. However, despite his foundational role and the fact that most Hindu religious rites involve praying to Brahma, very few temples are dedicated to his worship.

Brahma, it is said, created the world with a thought. Physical reality is a manifestation of subtle truths. The world we live in, with all its myriad characteristics, reflects people's state of mind. Creating a new world order needs the creation of a new consciousness first. The tool for that is spiritual wisdom.

The Bhagwad Gita describes the  transformative power of knowledge: "Even if you are the most sinful of all  sinners, yet you shall verily cross all sins by the raft of knowledge." It further states that there is no purifier in this world like knowledge.

Brahma is the medium through whom the Supreme Soul, Shiv, gives us spiritual knowledge to create an enlightened consciousness and, thereby, a better world. Shiv, who is  incorporeal and is therefore worshipped in the form of a lingam, needs a corporeal medium to perform His divine tasks of creation of the new world, its sustenance, and finally, when the world degenerates, destruction of evils and renewal of old-world order into  a new virtuous one.

The subtle deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankar are the mediums through whom God carries out this work. Shankar, commonly shown in a meditative pose with a Shiv lingam in front of him, is distinct from Shiv. This is why Shankar is  referred to as 'Mahadev', or the greater deity, while Shiv alone is prayed to as 'parmatma ', or the Supreme Soul. 'Om Shiv Paramatmaye Namah' acknowledges Shiv's formless divine light image and His supreme salutary nature.

Brahma's connection with knowledge is depicted i how he is always portrayed. Unlike other Hindu deities, Brahma is not shown holding weapons. In his four hands, he holds a Veda, symbolizing wisdom; a rosary, exemplifying the cyclical nature of existence; a pot of water, indicating creation of life, and a lotus flower representing purity. He rides a swan, which illustrates the ability to discern truth.

Through Brahma, God reminds us that we are souls, children of the Supreme Soul. When souls recognise their identity and relationship with God, they can forge a connection with Him through meditation, whereby they receive His powers and virtues and are cleansed. When a critical number of souls are thus purified, the Iron Age, characterised by sin , sorrow, and suffering, disintegrates, paving the way for the dawn of a new Golden Age.

Brahma is credited with creating the first beings - the 'prajapatis', progenitors of human race. They are none but those who thoroughly imbibed spiritual know­ledge received from God through Brahma and became virtuous. Their virtuous and righteous world is remembered in different religious texts and traditions as paradise, Sat Yug, jannat, and bahisht.

Perhaps it is in keeping with his sage image that the venerable Brahma retains a very low profile in the minds of Hindu devotees despite his pivotal role in creating heaven on earth.